Bahrain Rejects Iran-Oman Hormuz Meeting Over Security Concerns
· World · Al Jazeera, Bloomberg
Bahrain has announced it will not participate in a proposed meeting in Muscat between Iran and regional countries to discuss safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz, citing security risks and opposition to Iran’s potential control over the waterway. The meeting, planned for Monday, follows Iran’s de facto blockade of the strait since US-Israel strikes in February killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, disrupting global oil and gas exports. Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry stressed that security in the Gulf cannot be secured through ‘appeasement’ and demanded the strait remain open without discrimination, fees, or permits. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, framed the meeting as a regional effort to guarantee security without foreign intervention, despite Iran’s claims that its territorial waters and military bases were targeted in the February attacks. Bahrain, which severed ties with Iran in 2016 and has yet to restore them unlike Saudi Arabia, insists on resuming diplomatic rela
Why it matters
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint for 20% of the world’s oil supply, including India’s crude imports, making any disruption a direct threat to energy markets and economic stability. Bahrain’s stance risks escalating tensions in the Gulf, potentially isolating Iran further and complicating efforts to restore shipping stability, which could spike fuel prices and disrupt trade routes reliant on the strait.
Read the original report — Al Jazeera
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.